[Kilometer Magazine]

It was twenty-five years ago that BMW released the M3 on the American market, creating an icon for the brand that billed itself as building the Ultimate Driving Machine. Since then, the M3 has been a perennial favorite among performance driving enthusiasts. To commemorate a quarter century of this legendary model, BMW North America has commissioned a very special edition of the 2011 M3 coupe.

There won't be any "special edition" badging emblazoned on this model, however. Instead, it will be known instantly by its special finish, Frozen Gray, a matte-finished version of BMW's popular Space Gray paint that is available in Europe as a BMW Individual color. BMW will build just thirty — that's right, 3-0 — examples of the 2011 Frozen Gray M3. All will be coupes, and will be equipped identically... FULL STORY AND GALLERY

 

[1Point8TDan]

If I had the money and connections, I'd buy one just to resell.

 

[VarianceVQ]

Matte paint sucks.

I think they should build 1,003.

 

[VW1.8Tsunami]

Matte paint sucks.

agreed...I can't get excited over a dull paint job.

 

[leaftye]

It's incredibly bland for a sporty car that's nearly $80k. It's a shame that BMW is so conservative with their designs.

 

[SVTDanny]

Celebrating 25 years by building 30 cars. Seems like a logical number of cars. :screwy:

 

[Jordan 191]

VarianceVQ
Matte paint sucks.

x3

 

[Fritz27]

Pretty blah, should've offered it in some old school colors to harken back to the olden days.

 

[That1njguy]

In my opinion, for 25th anniversary, you need a bigger bump for 30 car run. Do a CSL type model. I don't think they get much more out of the motor.

I don't think the color is all that.

Sorry, I'm expecting more.

 

[InfinitiG]

I actually think the paint looks pretty wicked, the light weight wheels and cross drilled rotors look sweet too.

That's pretty much where my enthusiasm stops, it's lame that there will be no manual available and the interior leather combination looks lame, tacky, and kind of cheap.

One thing's for sure though, this will be one rare car!

 

[[email protected]]

I asked about the 30-car tally, and they said they would have liked to have done more, but the special paint is the limiting factor. They got as many as Germany would allocate them. I thought 25 cars for 25 years would have made sense too.

 

[Seabird]

Heritage colors would have been better. Maybe a subtle tri-color hash stripe somewhere on the fender, but only if it could be done tastefully. Same with the seats.

 

[Jordan 191]

I've always been impressed that M3 buyers seem much more of the "use the car as intended" school, than the collector-oriented crowd that buys many Porsches (not all, I realize that owners race Porsches actively in PCA events, etc, please don't freak out on me). So it seems weird for BMW to make a car like this. It's much more of a Porsche move.

 

[jetta2.8]

I have a gut feeling these will be snatched up by collectors and sit in garages for the next 20 years, then be sold for twice the original price.

 

[cjmoy]

The M3 was launched in the American market 25 years ago? I thought the first M3 to come to the US was
in 88.

 

[masa8888]

The M3 was launched in the American market 25 years ago? I thought the first M3 to come to the US was
in 88.

Production began in '86 in Europe and this is a '11 model, however I'm uncertain when the first US M3 went on sale. I like the matte finish, and I'm sure it'll look even better in person. I agree that a LTW tri-color version should be introduced.

 

[sandiegan]

M3 Special Edition: Not so special.

 

[cjmoy]

Production began in '86 in Europe and this is a '11 model, however I'm uncertain when the first US M3 went on sale. I like the matte finish, and I'm sure it'll look even better in person. I agree that a LTW tri-color version should be introduced.

The km article is claiming 25 years in America, but I'm thinking this is to commemorate 25 years of M3 production.

 

[cougar]

Celebrating 25 years by building 30 cars. Seems like a logical number of cars. :screwy:

:laugh:

 

[Notch__Johnson]

Heritage colors would have been better. Maybe a subtle tri-color hash stripe somewhere on the fender, but only if it could be done tastefully. Same with the seats.

I agree...or maybe some custom stitching on the seats or inside?